Improvement in cotton-presses



NITED STATES iPAQ-frisur T=()riucs.`

PAUL WILLIAMS, oFILoD1,MIssIssIPrI.

INI PROVVElM ENT IN GOTTON-PR ESSES..

Specification forming part of `Letters IatcntNo.` 26,635, datedDecembcr22.1859.

i a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification,

in which- Figure l represents a top or plan view of the press when readyfor pressing the cotton to form the bale. Fig. 2 represents a side viewof the press when the parts are in a similar position, and alsorepresents in red lines the pressing-box turned up in the properposition for receiving a fresh supply of cotton; and Fig. 3 represents asection through the pressing-bex F on line A B, Fig. 2.

A A BB representahorizontal main frame of any suitable length, supportedby standards or posts B B', resting on a base, A. end of the frame apacking and pressing box, F, is hinged near its center to pieces b, asseen flaring at the bottom, as shown at F', Fig. 2,

. and in section, Fig. 3, for the purpose of facilitating the removal ofthe bale after it has been roped. The` box F is also provided with twodoors, ff, hinged to the box, as seen at g, Figs. 1 and 2, one hingeonly being `shown, the doors f f being held in place by means ofspring-clamps c c, while the.cotton is being pressed. j l

G is the platen, which works in the box F, and is operated to press thecotton by the following mechanism, viz: A piston rod or beam, E,connects the platen G witha sliding crosshead, D, which is held in placeby guide-pieces D as `it slides back and forth between the upper andlower timbers of the main frame, while to the rear of the cross-head Dare hinged the levers H H and J J, as seen a't h. The levers H II arehinged to levers I I by links H H', as seen at t t'. The levers I I arein turn hinged at their inner ends to the inner ,ends of levers K K byjoints 7c, while the levers J J are hinged by joints j to the outer endsof the levers K K, which turn on journals m m in the main frame. Anupright capstan is arranged at the lever end of the press, as shown inthe drawings, one of its bearings being in the base A and To one.

the other inone of .the cross-pieces C. Ropes or chains M M connect theouter endsof .lefV

vers I I with the capstan, so that as the cap-` 'stan is turned by leverL it will wind up both of the ropes or chains M Thelevers on each sideof the machine are alike, only that levers H I on one side of themachine are s0 arranged as to work under lever J, while the levers H Ion the other side work over lever J, and levers K K are also so arrangedthat e the inner end of one works over the innerend of the other. Bythis arrangement of the le-` vers room is economized, and the mechanismfor pressing the cotton rendered quite compact, since the levers canwork past each other.

The operation may be brieiiy stated thus: The pressing-box being turnedup, as shown in red lines, Fig.,2, a sufficient quantity of cotton toform a bale is introduced through the open end, which is thus turned up.The box F is then turned down, sol that its'sides will rest on thecross-piece a', thus bringing the open end of the pressing-box on a linewith the platen G, while the part a of the box F projects over theplaten.` Power isrnowa-p` plied to the capstan, and as the chains orropes M M are wound up the strain on the levers I I I causes the innerends of levers K K to be forced back and their` outer ends forward, soas to force the levers J J against the piston-head to drive the plateninto thepressing-box F.

The levers H H are also forced against the cross-head D, and assistimforcing the platen G forward against the cotton. AAs the cottonbecomes pressed and the resistance against the platen G increases, thepower of the levers also increases until j ust before the pressing iscom pleted, the levers H Hand I I are almost in line, the projectingends II of thelevers I I l then come into action to hold the levers HHin place. After the cottonhas been sufficiently pressed, the springclamps or catches c c are thrown bac-k and the doors ff opened and theback and the rope 0, which is attached to the cross-head D, wound up, soas to `draw the platen back toa position which will admit of the box Fbeing turned up again, as shown in red lines, Fig. 2.

If desired, the capstan N maybe used either to assist to press thecotton by means of any I mit a person to work at the eapstan withconsuitable connection With the capstan L, or it may be used to draw theropes in roping the bale, it being vprovided with a lever, N.

The advantages of the links H H are that by their use the levers H H canbe folded back against the levers I I in amore compact manof the pressmay be of any suitable dimensions, and the height should be such as topervenienee.

' Having described my improved cottonpress, what I claim and desire toseeure'by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the levers H H and J J with the levers I I and K K,links H H, and projections I I, the Whole arranged and operating`substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

PAUL WILLIAMS.

Attest:

R. VVILLIAMs, P. DUNN.

